BADLAND for iPhone

Introduction — a mysterious forest game

What hides inside the trees? BADLAND is a distinctive side-scrolling platformer that picked up the Best Project prize at Game Connection Europe in 2012 and earned an Apple Design Award in 2013. If you’re looking for a comparable, free alternative, many players point to Free Fire.

Visuals and atmosphere

The title stands out primarily because of its art direction: shadowy silhouettes set against vivid foregrounds and backgrounds that often conceal hazards and secrets. The contrast between dark shapes and bright elements gives the levels a layered, living feel and keeps experienced players guessing.

The protagonist and the risk

You control a small winged creature that reacts to screen taps. The world is full of hazards: some obstacles hinder your progress, others launch you forward, and glowing orbs can alter your size. The persistent gloom of the environment amplifies the tension, so dangers are rarely obvious at first glance.

Learning by doing

BADLAND doesn’t rely on long tutorials or narrative exposition. Instead it expects you to explore and discover the mechanics through play. Tapping makes your creature gain altitude, and brief hints appear during pauses — otherwise you learn by experimenting. Checkpoints are forgiving: when you fail, you reappear at the last checkpoint rather than restarting the entire level.

Sound and variety

The developers avoided repetitive, grating music and instead let the visuals and level design carry the experience. A broad assortment of stages helps prevent the game from feeling monotonous, with shifting environments that continually introduce fresh challenges.

Final thoughts

If you enjoy simple controls but enjoy unraveling hidden mechanics and surprises, BADLAND is a strong pick. Its striking look and ongoing content updates have contributed to its critical acclaim and lasting appeal.

Latest additions and fixes

• The game now retains your place in a section after you’ve finished all currently available stages, so you can pick up where you left off.
• Four new chaotic multiplayer arenas have been added for competitive local play.
• Small stability and performance issues were addressed.
• Unfinished levels now resume from your last spot even if the app was closed mid-run.
• The main menu now displays a clearer indication of which levels you’ve already completed.